When animals, plants, mechanical parts and inexplicably beautiful designs come together the most otherworldly sculptures you’ve ever seen come to life. Talented sculptor Ellen Jewett is known for her incredible handmade clay sculptures that look like something straight out of a fantasy wonderland.

Jewett refers to her work as, “natural history surrealist sculpture.” There’s a reason her jaw dropping sculptures are full of so much detail, all she has to do is reference her strong background in anthropology, medical illustration, exotic animal care and stop-motion animation.

Relying on her extensive background, Jewett focuses on the biological structure of each sculpture, but she never ceases to amaze with all of the creative additions her imagination thinks up.

The Canadian based artist uses nature for inspiration, and she gives back by avoiding the use of all toxic materials. She excludes paints, glazes and shiny finishes in exchange for natural and locally sourced materials.

Jewett said, “This, unavoidably, excludes most of what is commonly commercially available, and has sent me on a journey of unique material combination and invention.”

By using natural and often uncommon materials her work is blessed with a truly unique appearance, and each otherworldly sculpture is its own authentic creation.

Over the years her minimalist approach has grown, “I find my sculptures are evolving to be of greater emotional presence by using less physical substance.”

“Each sculpture is handmade and painted with no more tools than fingers and a paint brush. The process begins with a handmade metal armature over which light weight clay is sculpted. The painting is executed with acrylic, mineral and oil pigments and the embedded eyes are glass. When complete the whole piece is glazed to intensify colour and strength.”

Check out more of Ellen’s awesome work on her website, some of which are available for purchase here.